2014 NAIA Women’s Tennis Player of the Week – No. 3

Thirumalaichelvam earns national honor after unbeaten week

April 02, 2014

By: Sam Knehans, Communications & Sports Information Intern

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Neesha Thirumalaichelvam of Cumberlands (Ky.) has been named the NAIA Women’s Tennis Player of the Week, the national office announced Wednesday. Thirumalaichelvam was selected based on her performances from March 24-30 and was chosen out of a pool of conference, independent and unaffiliated grouping award winners.

Thirumalaichelvam, a senior from Selangor, Malaysia, recorded a perfect week for the Patriots at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s (ITA) No. 3-rated singles player handled unranked opponents Kaelin Roberts of Georgetown (Ky.) (6-3, 6-2) and Summer Manning of Union (Ky.) (6-0, 6-0), and the ITA’s No. 32-ranked singles player Angelica Sepulveda of Cumberland (Tenn.) (6-3, 6-3). With her partner Erin Hart, Thirumalaichelvam rattled off doubles wins over the top tandems from Georgetown (9-7) and Union (8-1) before unseating the ITA’s No. 23-rated duo of Alena Gizdic and Angelica Sepulveda of Cumberland (8-4).

On the season, Thirumalaichelvam owns an 11-1 singles record and a 9-3 doubles mark.

For the complete Women’s Tennis Player of the Week calendar, click here.